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Friday, September 25, 2009

Nelliyampathy Hills - Nature's Pride

It was the dawn of a New Year, the beginning of new hopes, new resolution and being a holiday had to find some place to prepare our minds for the challenges ahead. Being in Calicut on that day, decided to go to some place which is some 3 hours drive away and the destination chosen was Nelliyampathy @ Palghat. We had never been to this place. Most of the people whom I contacted were of the opinion that, it is an isolated place and nothing much to explore. Still decided to make a visit.

We started early at around 5.30am. Total of 5 adults and 2 kids. Roads were pretty good.

From Calicut, we went through Ramanattukara, Manjeri, Angadippuram, Palghat, Nenmara to Nelliyampathy.
Small twisties in Manjeri stretch is a delight, and I enjoyed taking these turns like any driving enthusiast will do.

We had breakfast from one of the KTDC restaurant at Manjeri. This restaurant was on the road side but at a slightly highly elevated land. The view from the restaurant is really good. Food was good too.

Good roads continued, traffic was less too. Huge trees adorned both sides of this road was a treat to watch.

Palghat town also seems to be sleeping owing to the holiday. The traffic stop in front of the Muncipal childrens park.

From Palghat we took the thrissur route. We had to turn left from a place called Nenmara. The name of the place symbolises that it is a land of paddy fields. Soon the trademark paddy fields of kerala are seen aplenty signifying the approach of Nenmara.

Lush green paddy fields on both sides of roads.

Don't know how greenery soothes ones eyes and we never seems bored seeing it again and again. We were moving at a very slow pace enjoying the scenic places to the core.

Nenamara slowly moved back and the roads continued through the plains.

While we were travelling in luxury, the travel for these fellows were not that luxurious, Just for a moment thought about the fate of these poor creatures whose destiny is quite evident after a day or two.

The geography was becoming slightly hilly and density of trees increased.

After about 2 and half hours of journey we reached this place.

There was a signboard on the left showing that it is the Pothundy reservoir. No tourists were around. We asked one local whether there is anything to see here. He replied that there is a garden and a reservoir, entry is free, and sometimes tourists visit this place. From his tone we felt that it is not a good place. Anyway we decided to have a look inside. We climbed some 200steps to reach the top of the reservoir. But once we reached, atop we found that the climb was really worth it. Superbly scenic.

On one end of this dam there was this view point, where we spent some time enjoying the cool breeze and the huge resorvoir

A view of the dam from this view point

we can see the Nelliyampathy hills from here

The reservoir is fully visible in this view

The climb to Nelliyampathy starts from this point with hair pin bends and real good high range roads.

Roads were narrow but maintained well. I was testing my vehicle's performance in such stretches alongside enjoying the scenary. Thick dense forest was the order of the day.

Found this bird's nest on the way

Coffee plantations were aplenty as we were approaching Nelliyampathy

Once we reached Nelliyampathy we were in a different world alltogether. Went straight to a hotel to have our lunch. From the hotel guy found out that there are many places to explore here. Some of the places could be explored in a 4 x 4 jeep only which is available for hire along with the driver. But at least half a day is required to visit one such spot. Hence we will be able to go to only one place if we go to such a place. Decided to explore such places during our next visit.

Our plan being for one day decided to go to 2 spots where my vehicle can go. I want to spend more time at a single place than covering the entire picnic spots in one go. Hence decided to go to Poabs estate and kesavan para.

The poabs estate is a really sprawling campus. We can take our vehicle to some 2 kms inside this estate roads.Roads were not good, but the scenary made up for it.

We parked our vehicle and went for a walk inside. The climate was really cool and the walk never seems to drain our energy with such kind of flora and fauna around.

The coffee plantations inside the estate was giving a green cover to the hills.
Soon we reached the suicide point. Just see the height of this point. The low lying areas are visible amidst the mist

Some local inhabitants came here for our company

After walking for some more time, decided to take rest in the shade of trees.

Time to go back from the Poab's estate. On our way back saw this beautiful pond and small temple on the other bank.

Soon we were out of the Poab's estate and on our way to the Kesavan Para. The roads and the roadside view seems to be pretty munnarisque.

Reached the KesavanPara view point. Has to park the vehicle here and trek ahead.

The trekking route to Kesavanpara. Vehicles also can be taken here, but the best is to walk.

Finally we have to climb a rock, which is not so steep and we are on top

The view from the top is breathtaking. The rocks are so plain and vast on the top.

To add more to this scenic place, there is a small pond. Just sit near this pond atop these beautiful rock enjoying the scenary around and one is sure to forget to keep track of the time.

Towards one side of the rock there was dense forest. We just had a walk around and the excitement seems to have caught up on me since I was seen jumping and hopping around.

Stayed on till 7pm in the evening. Felt like staying there for more, but we were not prepared. Hence decided to proceed back to calicut. By the time we reached Palghat it was 9pm, thanks to a procession which made us halt for almost 1 hour. After taking dinner from palghat, we started our journey at about 9.30pm. The roads were empty by then. No sound at all. Only the sound of music. We reached our destination at 12pm after a day which will be there in our memory for a long time to come. Overall it was fantastic drive experience tooo.

To summarize the place, it is really wonderful landscape out there, you will have a munnar like feel minus the tourists, a kodaikanal like lake, 2 to 3 spots where only a 4 x 4 can reach. Atleast 2 days required to cover the entire area and there are some resorts and home stays around.

16 comments:

I loved those pictures. One or two pictures reminded me of Thekkady. You have captured the pictures so well. I think a lot goes with the camera at the same time I appreciate the camera wielder too. My passion is travelling. But of a different kind. I visit old temples and write about them apart from the word press blog you saw .If you are interested do visit that site too. its chitra-mypilgrimage.blogspot.com.

I have decided to visit your blogs regularly. I will follow you from here and I want to read your earlier blogs too. My Kumily and Kambham trip blogs are in the offing. You can see some beautiful photos of My kodai trip in wordpress. see you!

Thanks manchitra for dropping in and commenting (especially about camera wielder) I am no professional with camera. But yes the camera helps a lot. I have not seen ur temple blog, will check it when I find time. ThanksSubu

Thanks to the great post, i recently gottu travel this beautiful place. ive put the latest updates and road conditions..http://livingismyright.blogspot.com/2010/12/nelliyampathy-unexpected-haven-of.html

Wow...wondeful, i had been planning a trip to nelliyampathy and searched net for forums and stuff, got many forums and details from wikipedia also, but it lacked the details that i needed, since my also is going to be a 1 day trip, your log has been the most apt. Many informations and doubts got cleard. Loved the pics sir. really kewl. Ill be going to visit in a weeks time, by bike, my place is about 100kms from there. So will be leaving early.

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